Sky Bet Championship
Alan Hutton – ASTON VILLA v Birmingham City – 25th November
Aston Villa midfielder Alan Hutton is the Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month winner for November, receiving 71 per cent of the public vote.
What a game in which to score your career-defining goal. Hutton set off on his marauding run not thinking of personal glory. That was until he ended it with a pinpoint left-foot finish.
Lead Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month judge and Sky Sports Pundit Don Goodman said: “Hutton showed why the Villa faithful call him the Scottish Cafu with an incredible run and finish that any of the world’s top stars would’ve been proud of.
“The fact that it topped off a brilliant performance in the Second City derby made it all the more special.”
Hutton said: “It's a real pleasure to have been awarded Goal of the Month - thank you to everyone who voted for me.
“It was one of those 'once in a lifetime' goals. When you add that to the occasion it was a very special moment for me personally.
“I've never scored a goal like it and I'll probably never score another like it ever again!”
Hutton beat off competition from Swansea City’s Barry McKay and Nottingham Forest’s Joe Lolley.
Sky Bet League One
Ali Crawford – DONCASTER ROVERS v AFC Wimbledon – 17th November
Doncaster Rovers midfielder Ali Crawford is the Sky Bet League One Goal of the Month winner for November, receiving 45 per cent of the public vote.
Some shots are unsaveable. Such was the looping, curling trajectory of Crawford’s 20-yarder that the ball appeared destined to miss right up until it dived into the top corner.
Lead Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month judge and Sky Sports Pundit Don Goodman said: “The Wimbledon defence seemed to sit off Crawford as he collected the ball, almost challenging him to try his luck from that distance.
“They would have immediately regretted their decision as he deliberately struck the ballwith flight, pace, bend and accuracy which resulted in it flying into the top corner moments later. A truly magnificent goal.”
Crawford said: “Thank you to the fans for voting my goal as the best in the month for Sky Bet League One, it is a real honour. A massive thanks to everyone at the club, as well as my family and friends for their support since I joined Rovers.
“It was an important goal in the context of the game, levelling the match and setting us up to go on and get three points which kick-started a seven-game unbeaten run where we’ve won six of the matches. We’re doing everything we can to build on that run over Christmas and set ourselves up for a good finish to the season.”
Maguire beat off competition from Walsall’s Josh Ginnelly and Peterborough’s Marcus Maddison.
Sky Bet League Two
Danny Grainger – CARLISLE UNITED v Newport County – 3rd November
Carlisle defender Danny Grainger is the Sky Bet League Two Goal of the Month winner for November, receiving 45 per cent of the public vote.
A captain’s way to claim three points for his side. Grainger had no right to be so far forward in injury time, but he adjusted his feet adroitly to lash home a finely judged angled winner.
Lead Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month judge and Sky Sports Pundit Don Goodman said: “What a way to score the winning goal! Facing the disappointment of a late equaliser, Grainger reacted in the perfect manner, lashing his drive on the half-volley into the top corner with that majestic left foot that he possesses.
“As usual this season, he has been in fine goalscoring form and is well on course for his second consecutive double-figure season return.”
Grainger said: “I’m delighted, over the moon, and it’s obviously nice to get a bit of personal recognition at times. Winning goal of the month is massive for me and it’s been quite nerve-wracking waiting for the results to come through.
“It’s one of those chances where you set yourself and decide to go for it, and it’s good to see it fly into the top corner. A few people have been giving me a bit of stick and saying it was a deflection, but there was no touch on it at all. It was just the movement of the ball which helped it to fly up into the top corner.
“The special thing about this award is that the fans have taken time to vote on it. I’d like to say thank you to everybody who did that, and it’s nice to see that it wasn’t just Carlisle fans. I think all three nominated goals got people talking, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Grainger beat off competition from Cambridge United’s George Maris and Colchester United’s Sammie Szmodics.
The winners of the Sky Bet EFL Goals of the Month were chosen after a fan poll on skysports.com.
The shortlist for the poll was decided by a judging panel following suggestions from supporters via Twitter.
To suggest a goal to be considered for future Sky Bet Goal of the Month awards, fans can tweet details of their nominated goal to @SkyBet using #SkyBetGotM.